In this fourth book of Webb Hubbell's Jack Patterson series of thrillers,The Eighteenth Greencarries on his tradition of smart, suspenseful writing.The characters are by now familiar, but the there is nothing routine about the plot. The daughter of Jack Patterson's old friend has been arrested and charged with espionage. The facts appear damning, and, as always, the federal prosecutors hold all the cards. This is not your run-of-the-mill thriller. Hubbell's own experience in the law and in the workings of the federal government create an air of painful experience that brings credibility and nuance to his descriptions of the behind the scenes machinations, leaks, and lies that inevitably creep in to corrupt an all-powerful federal system and the lobbyists and politicians who feed at the trough. The picture one takes away of what goes in in Washington is chilling because it seems so very real.That chill keeps the book rolling right to the very end.

It adds depth and substance to the story, and leaves the reader with some very serious questions to consider about the nature of government. The writing style of most thrillers can try the patience of a thoughtful reader. Not so with Hubbell. The characters speak with authenticity, the writing is clean and crisp, and the reader's intelligence is respected, while the plot leaps and bounds with an energy and suspense that makes it difficult to turn out the light. Pick it up, and be prepared to neglect everything else until the end. I highly recommendThe Eighteenth Green,and I look forward eagerly to the next installment of Jack Patterson's adventures. -- J.F.

Riordan, author of "North of the Tension Line", "The Audacity of Goats", and "Robert's Rules".